Chater 813


    The next evening, Carson threw a party and everyone gathered at the Midnight Bar.


    Estelle and Jonathan showed up early, joining Carson’s girlfriend and others for a game of cards.


    Charlie, Andrew, and others arrived one after another, and Jonathan graciously gave up his seat, fully


    focused on providing guidance and strategic advice to Estelle. Charlie didn’t join the crowd, answering


    a call and then sitting on the couch texting. Looked like some work stuff.


    Jane brought a friend, Waters, a real looker. Word was she was from out of town, here to take over her


    family’s branchpany in J City.


    Estelle noticed Waters eyeing Charlie like a hawk, her gaze filled with curiosity, like a predator eyeing


    its prey.


    As Charlie put down his phone to get a cigarette from the coffee table, Waters approached, plopped


    down on the couch, and held out her hand. “I’m Waters, Jane’s good friend. I just moved to J City. We’ll


    be doing business with Mr. James soon. Just thought I’d introduce myself early. Hope Mr. James can


    show me the ropes!” Charlie nced at her hand, “Business is business, friends are friends. No talking


    shop while we’re hanging out.”


    “Fair enough!” Waters, unfazed, withdrew her hand, grinning. “Leaving business aside, I’d rather be


    friends with Mr. James. Everyone here calls you Charlie. Can I call you that too?”


    Charlie nodded absentmindedly, “Whatever floats your boat.”


    “Thanks, Charlie!” Waters, with her stunning looks and immacte makeup, lit up when she smiled.


    Estelle kept stealing nces at Charlie. Jonathan yfully tapped her head and chuckled, “Your


    boyfriend’s here, who are you ogling at?”


    Estelle whispered, “Did Charlie get a girlfriend recently?”


    “Not that I know of,” Jonathan drawled.


    Unable to resist, Estelle looked back again to see Charlie saying something, with Waters leaning in


    slightly, listening attentively, her eyes riveted on Charlie in clear admiration.


    What man could resist that? Especially Charlie, who was never one to turn down attention!


    Because of Emily, Estelle had an instinctive aversion to seeing Charlie cozy up with other women.


    Whether Charlie knew about the child or not, regardless of responsibility or adult game rules, Emily


    was her friend, so she was biased!


    So she didn’t like seeing Charlie live it up, while Emily suffered.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Estelle was distracted while ying cards. Thankfully, Jonathan knew what was on her mind,


    otherwise, he’d be green with envy no matter who she was looking at! A whileter, Charlie took a call


    and went to the balcony. Waters came over alone, her face a little downcast. Looked like she didn’t


    manage to reel Charlie in. After a bit of fun, Yvonne showed up with a man in tow.


    The man wasn’t particrly good-looking, but was well-built, with an undeniable air of hard-edged


    masculinity that demanded attention.


    Yvonne introduced him with a smile, “This is my cousin, Zack.”


    She deliberately looked at Jonathan, “I’ve mentioned to you before, my cousin enlisted thirteen years


    ago, and now he’s a high-rankingmander in the Delta maintenance unit. He’s just returned to J


    City.”


    Zack reached out to shake Jonathan’s hand, “I’ve heard a lot about you from Yvonne, d to finally


    meet you. But I’ve heard of you long before that.”


    Zack’s hand was rough, with calloused palms, a clear sign of a man who was used to handling guns.


    Jonathan shook his hand, his face impassive, “Nice to meet you.”


    Zack withdrew his hand, scanning the crowd. When his eyesnded on Estelle, his pupils contracted


    slightly, a flicker of surprise and wariness in his eyes.